Title
***ITEM REVISED (SEE ATTACHED MEMO)*** Authorization to Apply for the Consolidated National Criminal History Improvement Program (Ordinance S-52671) - Citywide
Description
Request to authorize the City Manager, or his designee, to allow the Police Department to retroactively apply for, accept, and enter into an agreement with the Arizona Criminal Justice Commission for the Consolidated National Criminal History Improvement Program. The grant amount is not to exceed $1,000,000. Further request authorization for the City Treasurer to accept, and the City Controller to disburse, all funds related to this item.
Report
Summary
This program is designed to reduce violent crime and enhance public safety by improving the accuracy, completeness and accessibility of criminal history records. These efforts support compliance with state and federal requirements that mandate timely submission of criminal history information to official repositories for use in background checks and other public safety purposes.
Grant funds will be used to modernize record systems, reduce the backlog of unreported dispositions, and ensure timely electronic transmission of records to both state and federal systems in accordance with FBI Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) standards. This includes hiring temporary staff to identify and resolve root causes of reporting gaps, implement standardized procedures for updating older records, and provide training to existing personnel on accurate and timely reporting. Additionally, funds will be allocated to purchase equipment and technology solutions that enhance automation, improve data integrity, and streamline the reporting process. These tools will support linking arrests to case outcomes, automating updates, and strengthening connectivity with systems such as the National Instant Criminal Background Check System and the Interstate Identification Index.
By addressing these challenges, the program ensures that disqualifying information such as felony convictions, domestic violence orders, and mental health adjudications is available for firearm eligibility determinations and other critical public safety purposes. These improvements help ensure that individuals working with vulnerable populations, such as children or the elderly, and those seeking positions of trust are properly vetted. These enhancements not only fulfill legal obligations but also protect communities by enabling accurate and timely background checks for individuals seeking positions of trust or working with vulnerable populations.
The grant application was due on February 13, 2026. If authorization is denied, the grant application will be rescinded.
Contract Term
The contract term will be for four years from the date of the approved award.
Financial Impact
No matching funds are required.
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Assistant City Manager Lori Bays and the Police Department.